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Bulgarian Parliament passes controversial Forestry Act amendments

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:55:00 +0200

Opposition parties and environmental protection NGOs argued that this and other provisions were the result of lobbyist pressure from ski resort operators.

Bulgaria, Romania suspend shipping on Danube River

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:03:00 +0200

Ferry-boat service between the Bulgarian and Romanian banks of the river may continue if the ferry captains decide that the weather conditions allow the safe passage of the boats.

European auditors suggest 'more efficient' use of EU funds for nuclear decommissioning in Bulgaria

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:01:00 +0200

Bulgaria shut down two 440MW units at its Kozloduy nuclear power plant in 2004 and two more units with the same installed power in 2006.

US ambassador requests $50 000 USAID for Bulgarian flood victims

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:21:00 +0200

We hope this donation can assist those communities which are suffering, and especially those who have lost their homes, James Warlick says.

Murky digital future

Vessislava Antonova, Capital — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:52:00 +0200

The switch to digital television broadcasting in Bulgaria cannot progress before a transition plan is approved

Tight circle

Kalina Goranova, Capital — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:43:00 +0200

Bulgarian Government doing its best to drive strategic investors away from BDZ Cargo privatisation

CVM update urges Romania to continue judiciary reform

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:40:00 +0200

Interirm report praised Romania for continuing to pursue high-profile corruption cases and new legislation, but urged more action on reforming the judicial system and the confiscation of assets acquired through illegal means.

‘Stronger action’ needed by Bulgaria to implement EC recommendations against crime, corruption

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:17:00 +0200

February 8 EC report notes a number of developments in Bulgaria’s progress in judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, but points to need for stronger action in a number of areas.

Italy, Poland among first EU states to offer Bulgaria aid in coping with flood disaster

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0200

European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva says that it is ‘impressive’ that the support offered comes at a time when Italy and Poland themselves as struggling with the effects of the severe winter.

Raiffeisen Real Estate: Prices of Sofia homes returned to 2007 levels

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:33:00 +0200

Average market prices of homes in Sofia fell by one per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, according to the Raiffeisen Real Estate Index, as quoted by Klasa daily.

Cold spell should ease its grip on Europe next week, World Meteorological Organisation says

The Sofia Echo staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:16:00 +0200

The current ‘negative Arctic Oscillation’ – a weather phenomenon which leads to cold conditions in Europe and relatively warmer conditions in the Arctic – should shift into a more neutral pattern within the next two to three weeks.

New states of emergency declared in places in Bulgaria amid winter weather crisis

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:00 +0200

Bulgaria has requested assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said that Bulgaria would most probably receive European aid but that it was also true that most of Europe was suffering from severe weather.

Turkey debates its role in possible Syria intervention

Dorian Jones, VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:21:00 +0200

Turkey hardens stance against Syria, its Western allies increasingly looking to Ankara for help to unseat Assad

Cold snap hits Europe; thaw a threat

VOANews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:09:00 +0200

The extreme cold has been blamed for almost 400 deaths across Europe. In Ukraine, where temperatures have fallen below minus 30 degrees Celsius, the cold is blamed for at least 122 deaths. Many of the victims were homeless.

Winter weather crisis: Bulgaria closes all schools for three days

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:24:00 +0200

Education Minister decrees that from February 8 to 10 inclusive, all schools in Bulgaria will be closed.

Bulgarian telecom firm offers compensation after network disruption

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:05:00 +0200

Services at several banks in Bulgaria were disrupted because of the network disruption which lasted several hours on February 6 2012.

Situation on Danube ‘critical’ because of large ice drifts

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:31:00 +0200

In the Bulgarian stretch of the river, ice cover was reported on February 7 to have reached 80 per cent.

Bulgarian Red Cross, mobile operators, BNT start fund-raising to help people hit by floods

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0200

February 8 is a national day of mourning for flood victims in the village of Bisser in Bulgaria’s Haskovo Region.

Avalanche danger in Bulgaria’s mountains amid winter weather crisis: Updated

The Sofia Echo staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0200

Mountain Rescue urges skiers and snowboarders not to stray from the official pistes.

Polish PM, digitalisation minister hold public debates on ACTA ratification

The Warsaw Voice — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:40:00 +0200

PM Donald Tusk invited authors, NGOs, experts and bloggers to a debate on the ACTA copyright agreement, but several key organisations, including the Helsinki Foundation, rejected the invitation claiming that the talks will likely offer no opportunity to discuss concrete issues.